Paolina Thai café could easily be mistaken for one of London’s many grotty takeaway spots. But in the heart of Kings Cross, tucked behind a shabby shop front, lies surprising authentic Thai cuisine that serves up both spice and value.

The Venue
The dining area itself is probably often discovered when picking up a Pad Thai on the way home from work as it’s not visible from the street. It’s a dinky little space tacked on to the back of the kitchen but serves its purpose by emulating a Bangkok street cafe through decor and aroma. The open kitchen you walk past confirms the food is prepared then and there and as soon as you inhale it’s evident the recipes are traditional and true. The space should feel cramped, but it works, enabling a lone diner to feel comfortable grabbing a curry but also accommodating a party of eight for a celebratory feast.

The Atmosphere
The decor, like the service, is simple, warm and effective and it’s clear this is a family run business. The staff greets you casually with a smile and despite being efficient there is no sense of being rushed. The place fills up very quickly as diners looking for a budget bite descend on this cramped space but the mood stays light and cheerful even as you shuffle around chairs and try to negotiate the matchbox-sized toilet.

The Food
The menu reads as you would expect. From a full page of starter options ranging from £3.50 to £4.20, the steamed dumplings with pork and water chestnuts are delicious little morsels and go well with the deep fried fish cakes that, despite being a little rubbery in texture, taste tangy with a nutty dipping sauce. There are various soups to choose from and the Tom Kha Gai is creamy and fragrant.

For a main course, the chicken curry has a nice bite, the pad thai noodles are a well deserved favourite and the prawns with vermicelli in a clay pot are sticky and sweet. This food feels so homemade and really hits the spot but it’s not advisable to attempt to share with more than one other as the servings don’t allow for it, but with an average cost of £5.50 for a main, the size fits!

The dessert menu is predictable with deep fried ice cream and fruit salad but for a treat for your taste buds go for the Thai pancake, bright green and stuffed with a coconut filling its soft and piping hot so you know it’s just been made.

The Drink
The shining star of this establishment is the BYO policy that allows you to bring your choice of beverage at a tiny corkage fee of 50p per person. A good bottle of Pinot Gris compliments the rampant spice of the food allowing you to dine with wine with out blowing your budget. There is also a range of non-alcoholic drinks for you to purchase too.

The Last Word
This is the spot to come when you want a tasty meal with bang for your buck. It’s actually a refreshing respite from the plethora of overpriced options in Central London and lets you leave feeling content… and like you still have pounds in you pocket.

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